Nick Tymoczko and Bobby Gilbert.

It’s a matchup steeped in speed, strength, agility, vision and all the intangibles that make for a star running back, and it’s a matchup that will be featured Saturday when top-ranked Bucksport hosts No. 2 Foxcroft Academy for the Eastern Maine Class C football championship at Carmichael Field.

Each has put up numbers worthy of consideration for the Fitzpatrick Trophy, awarded annually to the state’s top senior high school player.

Tymoczko established LTC regular-season records for rushing yards (2,071) and touchdowns (33) while leading 10-0 Bucksport to the regular-season crown. He added 209 yards and two scores during a 20-0 LTC semifinal win against Mattanawcook Academy to bring his totals to 2,280 yards and 35 TDs.

Gilbert has gained 1,755 yards and scored 34 touchdowns, and is coming off a 179-yard, three-TD performance as 9-1 Foxcroft rallied from a 14-0 halftime deficit to defeat Orono 34-14 in the semifinals. The 5-foot-10, 205-pound senior also leads the Ponies in tackles from his linebacker slot.

“I think there are a lot of common denominators between them,” said Foxcroft coach Paul Withee. “They’ve got great balance, excellent feet, and very good quickness. They’ve got great vision and they’re strong, they’re not going to go down on the first hit the majority of times.

“Bobby’s probably a little bigger than Nick, and Nick might be a little faster than Bobby, but those kinds of things balance each other out.”

Gilbert was expected to put up big numbers this fall after topping 1,000 yards during a junior year he capped off with a 140-yard, three-touchdown performance in the Ponies’ 26-20 victory over Lisbon in the Class C state final. In that game he showed the entire package, scoring on a 77-yard kickoff return and a 61-yard run, and helping run out the final 4:56 of the game by rushing seven times for 39 yards on the Ponies’ final drive.

“Bobby’s an outstanding back,” said Bucksport coach Joel Sankey. “He’s a power runner, he’s a speed runner, he’s got great vision of the field and he’s very strong. He’s legit.”

Tymoczko, meanwhile, got his carries last year, but played somewhat in the shadow of 1,000-yard tailback Chris Woodman.

But last spring he played a key role in helping Bucksport win the Class C state championship in track and field, and this fall he’s had a season few running backs in Maine high school history have matched.

“It’s just amazing the amount of confidence he got last spring in track,” said Withee, “and it’s very obvious he’s worked in the weight room to improve himself.”

It’s on the track where Tymoczko and Gilbert met, to share a camaraderie built on speed and now fortified by the rarefied high school football air they share.

“Bobby’s a great guy,” said Tymoczko, a 5-foot-10, 185-pound senior who plays outside linebacker on defense. “I know him from track, and he’s worked really hard to get to where he’s at. He’s a great athlete. He’s quick, he flashes to the ball defensively, and he’s a power runner. I know he’s had some trouble with his shoulder, and he’s done a great job playing through it.”

“Nick’s a really nice kid,” added Gilbert. “He’s strong, quick, and he’s pretty humble, too. He’ll talk to you about anything. He doesn’t have that aura of, ‘I’m better than everybody else.’ He’s got a great attitude.”

That mutual respect also may stem in part from the knowledge that each has piled up big numbers despite being the focus of defensive attention week after week.

“Every team we’ve both played, I’m sure the defenses have been designed to come gunning at us,” said Gilbert. “So we’ve had to keep our heads on a swivel, always looking out for the next person to come flying at you to make the tackle. You know they’re going to come at you because they know you’re a key aspect to the offense.”

Both backs have earned considerable college recruiting attention ranging from Division I-AA programs to smaller colleges and prep schools. But it is here where there is a difference between Nick Tymoczko and Bobby Gilbert. While Tymoczko doesn’t anticipate playing college football at present, Gilbert aspires to play at the highest level possible, likely as a strong safety.

“It’s what I want to do,” he said.

In the meantime, there’s a championship to be won and one final matchup both Tymoczko and Gilbert have expected since the last time their teams met.

In that Week 4 clash in Bucksport, Tymoczko scored on runs of 58 and 77 yards the first two times he touched the ball, and finished with 271 yards on 23 carries to lead the Golden Bucks to a 34-21 win. Gilbert, still recovering from a preseason shoulder injury, rushed for 148 yards and three TDs on 26 carries.

“I pretty much would have bet all the money I’ve got that this was going to be the game come the Eastern Maine final,” said Gilbert.